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The 2025 season of Major League Cricket (MLC) got off to a dream start at the Oakland Coliseum, blending cricket’s rich legacy with a glimpse of its promising future in the United States.

In a touching tribute to the sport’s glorious past, West Indian pace legends Sir Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh delivered the ceremonial first balls on the newly-laid pitch. Adding to the magic, Adam Gilchrist, one of Australia’s finest wicketkeepers, took position behind the stumps — a moment that stirred nostalgia among fans and set a symbolic tone for the season ahead.

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Cricket legends Courtney Walsh and Sir Curtly Ambrose delivered the first balls at Oakland Coliseum with fellow great of the game Adam Gilchrist behind the stumps! 👏 pic.twitter.com/423xG9uwCf

— Cognizant Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) June 13, 2025

Though no batter stood at the crease, the sight of Ambrose and Walsh bowling to Gilchrist rekindled memories of cricket’s golden era and signaled MLC’s desire to honor tradition while building its presence in North America.

Moments later, the focus shifted to pure T20 brilliance as Finn Allen unleashed a record-breaking performance for the San Francisco Unicorns. The New Zealand batter smashed a sensational 151 off just 51 balls, setting multiple records — the fastest 150 in T20 history, the most sixes in a T20 innings (19), and the highest individual score in MLC history.

Powered by Allen’s whirlwind knock, San Francisco posted a mammoth 269/5, the highest team total ever recorded in the league.

In reply, Washington Freedom started aggressively but quickly lost momentum. Haris Rauf led the bowling charge with figures of 3 for 30, as Washington crumbled to 146 all out, handing the Unicorns a comprehensive 123-run victory.

With the perfect mix of history and high-octane action, MLC 2025 opened on a spectacular note — saluting cricket’s legends while embracing the energy of a bold new chapter in the sport’s American journey.